Find out how popular the first name Bao has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bao by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Bao is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 59% of people named Bao being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bao.

The history of the first name Bao

The name Bao is a unisex name with origins traced back to various cultures and languages. It has been in use for centuries, with various meanings and connotations across different regions.

In Chinese, the name Bao is a common masculine given name that can have several meanings. One interpretation is "precious" or "treasure", derived from the Chinese character "寶" (bǎo). Another meaning is "to wrap" or "to embrace", originating from the character "包" (bāo). This name has been popular in Chinese culture for generations.

In Vietnamese, the name Bao is a feminine given name that means "precious" or "valuable". It is derived from the same Chinese character "寶" (bǎo) and has been used in Vietnam for centuries, often given to girls as a wish for them to be cherished and valued.

The name Bao can also be found in Japanese, where it is written as "宝" (hō or takarabako), meaning "treasure" or "precious". It is a unisex name in Japanese and has been used for both male and female children.

In terms of historical references, the name Bao appears in various ancient Chinese texts and records. One notable example is Bao Zheng, a famous Chinese government officer and judge who lived during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). He was renowned for his unwavering sense of justice and incorruptibility.

Another historical figure bearing the name Bao is Bao Qingtian, a Chinese poet and calligrapher who lived during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD). He is known for his exceptional calligraphy skills and his contributions to the preservation of traditional Chinese arts.

Moving to Vietnam, one of the earliest recorded examples of the name Bao is Bao Ninh, a Vietnamese writer and former soldier who fought in the Vietnam War. He was born in 1952 and is best known for his acclaimed novel "The Sorrow of War", which explores the brutal realities of the conflict.

In Japan, the name Bao has been carried by several notable figures throughout history, including Bao Yukiko (1890-1980), a renowned Japanese author and feminist activist who advocated for women's rights and education.

Another famous Japanese figure with the name Bao is Bao Dai (1913-1997), the last emperor of Vietnam. He ascended to the throne in 1926 and ruled until his abdication in 1945, after which he lived in exile in France.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse cultural meanings associated with the name Bao, a name that has been cherished and celebrated across various regions and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bao was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bao, please contact us.

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